Chapter 461: Chapter 444: The Grand Ceremony of All-Out Encirclement
Although Wang Meng was the Sect Leader, Zhao Xinglun was currently the strongest person in the Holy Hall. Moreover, the Zhao Family was also the greatest power within the sect.
It was rare for Zhao Xinglun to return, and he represented the traditional powers. The direct line of the Zhao Family, including the older generation of Elders, all dressed in their finest to welcome him. This was a message to the younger generation: Zhao Xinglun was the true leader, and Wang Meng was merely a figurehead.
Everything was proceeding according to plan. The Four Directions Small Thousand World was also calm, and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect seemed to be making no moves.
But there was something strange. Apart from the Heaven-Dominating Hall and the Dao Guang Sect, almost no one else had explicitly confirmed their attendance.
Jin Tiannan of the Heaven-Dominating Hall was coming out of respect for their past relationship. The Dao Guang Sect and the Holy Hall, however, were interdependent; if one fell, the other would be in peril. They had to come at a time like this.
The Eight Great Castles and some other sects were all watching the Ten Thousand Demons Sect for its reaction. The attitude of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect would determine whether this grand ceremony would proceed smoothly.
Despite the clear, boundless sky, an atmosphere of an impending storm hung over the Holy Hall.
Would the grand ceremony truly go off without a hitch?
Zhao Xinglun seemed full of confidence, continuously meeting with the various powers within the Holy Hall. Most importantly, he also met with the Holy Hall’s external forces in the Four Directions Small Thousand World. These factions relied on the Holy Hall and also provided it with resources. With the change in Sect Leader, they needed to choose a new patron to align with.
The nominal Sect Leader was Wang Meng, but who was the Sect Leader in the shadows?
At a time like this, every faction had to choose its side once again.
The day of the grand ceremony finally arrived. Early in the morning, the young disciples were already bustling about. The Holy Mountain was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations. For most sects in the Four Directions Small Thousand World, this was also a massive spectacle.
Wang Meng had been trying on clothes since the crack of dawn. Yang Ying and Ma Tian’Er meticulously groomed him, straightening even a single stray hair. Master Wang stood as still as a stone statue. Honestly, he would rather fight a Demon to the death than endure this.
"Ahem, you two beauties, can you hurry it up? I’ve been standing here for a whole ancient hour."
"This is a major event; we can’t be careless in the slightest. Sister Ying, should we adjust this topknot? I feel like the angle isn’t quite right."
Yang Ying studied it for a moment. "Mm, it is a little off. It needs to be just a tiny bit higher."
Wang Meng broke into a sweat. "You can’t be serious. You just spent so long on it."
Yang Ying and Ma Tian’Er burst out laughing. "We’re just teasing you. How could the two of us be so sloppy?"
Being teased by beauties, Master Wang could only accept his fate.
"But it’s true what they say: clothes make the man. You really do look more dignified," Ma Tian’Er chuckled.
Dressed in the magnificent sacred robes of the Sect Leader, Wang Meng did indeed look more imposing and heroic. He would definitely stand out when he was up there with a group of old men.
Yang Ying gently smoothed the wrinkles on his robes. Even now, the moment felt surreal, like a dream.
Outside, on the Holy Mountain, disciples were already lined up in two rows. Many guests who had come to observe the ceremony had already arrived. As for the sects affiliated with the Holy Hall, they were, of course, all present. The Holy Mountain had opened its gates wide, offering a rare opportunity to visit.
Some neutral sects had also arrived. They wouldn’t miss the excitement of such an occasion.
A knock sounded at the door. "The time is near. We respectfully welcome the Sect Leader."
Wang Meng couldn’t help but sweat. "Little Jing, you’ve gotten bold, daring to make fun of me."
Hu Jing walked in with a smile. "How would I dare? Ah, but looking at you now, you are a little bit more handsome."
When Wang Meng appeared, the Holy Hall Disciples on the Holy Mountain immediately erupted into a tsunami of cheers. Of course, it was mainly the younger disciples; the older generation appeared much calmer.
However, when Zhao Xinglun appeared, they became particularly excited.
This grand ceremony was, naturally, presided over by Zhao Xinglun.
The ones responsible for welcoming the guests were Zhang Xiaopang and Hu Jing. Zhang Xiaopang was already waiting outside.
’Still, Wang Meng has his uses. At the very least, he stabilized the situation in Snow Moon City. This puppet is doing a competent job.’
The appointed hour was almost upon them. At this time, according to rank, the more influential sects began to formally ascend the mountain to pay their respects.
Hu Jing arrived on time. She and Zhang Xiaojiang, as representatives of the Holy Hall’s younger generation, were naturally qualified for this role. Of course, if more heavyweight figures appeared later, they would be received by Wu Fatian and Zhou Luodan.
If the Three Sects, Five Schools, and Eight Great Castles Alliance was considered first-tier, then only the second-tier sects just below them were qualified to ascend the mountain gate and offer congratulations. Any weaker sects could only observe the ceremony.
The Fire Wolf Sect was at the very front, preparing to step forward, when a figure suddenly darted over. Dressed in black, he cut in front of them. The Fire Wolf Sect Leader’s face immediately darkened.
"My apologies, my apologies, I’m late."
The young man seemed to be in a great hurry, as if he’d rushed all the way here.
Hu Jing could tell at a glance that the young man before her had an extraordinary air about him. Without being impolite, she asked, "And you are, honored guest?"
"Hehe, I am Xie Tianhua, a disciple of the Taiyin Sect. For my Martial Uncle’s inauguration ceremony, how could I, as a Martial Nephew, not do my part?"
The Fire Wolf Sect Leader was about to start cursing, but the words died on his lips. ’The Taiyin Sect?’
Why did that sound so familiar? Looking at the magnificent Taiyin Wheel emblem, the Fire Wolf Sect Leader nearly tripped over his own feet.
’Damn it! Isn’t that the third-ranked Major Sect in the Star Alliance? Those are figures one can only look up to with reverence!’
"Xie Tianhua... you are the disciple of the Taiyin Sect’s Supreme Elder, Mo Chen?"
Hu Jing was stunned for a moment. Ever since learning about the Star Alliance, she had gathered all the intelligence she could on it. She couldn’t possibly have missed a figure like Xie Tianhua.
The sect leaders blocked behind Xie Tianhua instantly fell silent, their impatience vanishing completely. Mo Chen, the number two figure in the Taiyin Sect and one of the Star Alliance’s top experts... His disciple had actually come here to personally welcome guests? This was... an incredible show of respect!
"He is indeed my master."
After that, Zhang Xiaojiang and Hu Jing became mere onlookers. Xie Tianhua was impeccably polite, and while his identity undoubtedly shocked everyone, it also made them feel greatly honored.
A Major Sect was a rare sight even across the entire Star Alliance. The Four Directions Small Thousand World ranked very low, so to suddenly see a direct disciple from such a Major Sect here left the Fire Wolf Sect Leader feeling a bit flustered.
The gap in status was no less than the gap between the mortal realm and the Four Directions Small Thousand World.
One by one, the sects announced their arrival, but that was nothing compared to the stir Xie Tianhua’s appearance caused. His presence sparked heated discussions among the Holy Hall disciples and guests. After all, the Taiyin Sect was one of the Three Great Sects of the Star Alliance!
Probably everyone knew by now except for Master Wang himself. When Zhao Xinglun heard the news, he couldn’t help but be stunned. ’What is this?’
More than twenty second-tier sects came up. Wang Meng couldn’t remember their names. He just had to maintain his posture and keep smiling. ’Damn it, my face is going to freeze like this.’
He didn’t need to move unless a peer or a senior expert arrived.
After the second-tier sects had passed, there was a slight lull. ’Is that it? Is no one else coming?’
The atmosphere grew a bit awkward. The weather, which had been perfect, now felt a little hot. The guests so far had all been small fry. If the grand inauguration of the Holy Hall’s Sect Leader only attracted a few shrimps like these, it would become a massive joke.
It seemed the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the Eight Great Castles Alliance had made their move after all.
Although the Holy Hall was one of the Three Sects, the most influential power in recent years had been the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
Zhao Xinglun was also getting a headache. He had sent invitations to the other two of the Three Sects and four of the Five Schools. Thankfully, just then, the Sect Leader of the Dao Guang Sect arrived.
Shi Zan, the Sect Leader of the Dao Guang Sect, offered a few simple and polite words of congratulations, then went to exchange pleasantries with Zhao Xinglun.
Clearly, Shi Zan was acknowledging Zhao Xinglun. As for Wang Meng... he didn’t know him.
Outsiders watch for the spectacle, but insiders see the subtleties. The Holy Hall disciples, in particular, felt a sense of suffocation and anxiety.
Of the other four of the Five Schools, the Dao Guang Sect was the most likely to come. And while they had come, it was clearly out of respect for Zhao Xinglun. This left the younger disciples feeling truly dejected.
Wang Meng’s appearance had been like a hurricane, bringing passion and fervor, filling every young disciple with the courage to break with tradition and shatter their shackles. Cultivation was always fraught with unexpected difficulties, and Wang Meng was their motivation. They hoped to see him advance triumphantly, but clearly, such a thought was naive.
The surrounding Elders of the older generation, however, wore meaningful smiles, as if to say, ’You little brats are still too green. Just you wait. I’ve forgotten more than you’ll ever know.’
Shi Zan chatted with Zhao Xinglun as if no one else was there. Both were at the Fourth Layer of Minor Perfection, just one step away from Great Perfection. With comparable strength and status, they naturally had much to talk about.
Thunderbolt and the others were getting anxious, not just because of Shi Zan, but also because a vacuum had appeared. Could it be that no one else from the Five Schools was coming?
The Chanyin Sect had already submitted to the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. But the Lihuo Sect and the Evil Spirit Hall were Evil Cultivators aligned with the Heaven-Dominating Hall. Were they also afraid of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect?
「In Tongming City.」
Yang Yingtian and Yang Molong were waiting quietly.
"Old Ancestor, under pressure from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, no one of importance will come. Why are we bothering with this?"
Yang Molong, of course, hated Wang Meng. The last time they’d met, Wang Meng had suppressed the Eight Great Castles Alliance. He still remembered that grudge. But not only had the brat not died, he had actually become the Sect Leader.
Yang Yingtian glanced lightly at Yang Molong. "Be patient. A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit."
"You mean to say, Wang Meng still has some tricks up his sleeve?" Yang Molong asked, confused. "The Ten Thousand Demons Sect has already put pressure on the Lihuo Sect and the Evil Spirit Hall. Furthermore, the Demon Heart Sect is about to merge with them. Who would dare to ask for trouble?"
"Caution is the parent of safety. If nothing happens, we’ll just go back. There’s no loss."
Yang Yingtian, however, appeared perfectly at ease. ’The Ten Thousand Demons Sect is expanding too aggressively, and that Tianye is too arrogant and domineering. As they expand, they’ve started to encroach on the Eight Great Castles. If this continues, and Tianye really manages to unify the Four Directions Small Thousand World, it might not be a good thing at all.’
However, right now, there was truly no one in the Four Directions Small Thousand World who could stand against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. A young man walked in. It was Jiang Hu, a cultivator from the Heaven-Dominating Hall. After Yang Xi was expelled, he had a blessing in disguise and became the heir to Yang Family Castle.
"Old Ancestor, Castle Lord, people from the Lihuo Sect and the Evil Spirit Hall have arrived!"
"Oh? They actually dared!" Yang Molong was very surprised. Under the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s pressure, they still dared to give them such a pretext.
Yang Yingtian was clearly more farsighted than Yang Molong. ’Back then, the Eight Great Castles were an important chess piece for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, so their status was naturally different. But now the Ten Thousand Demons Sect has grown stronger. It has the Chanyin Sect and is about to absorb the Demon Heart Sect. What status do the Eight Great Castles have left? Before long, they’ll just become cannon fodder and a resource supply station.’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)